Long story short, I was born and raised in San Francisco, California. After high school, I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America with an Associates degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. After graduating at the height of the pandemic, I started a side job as a freelance illustrator which reignited my passion for art. Subsequently, I applied to Capilano University to further my education and hone my artistic skills.
Long story long, I was born and raised in San Francisco to a chef and interior designer. As a child I often found myself going to my mother’s restaurant, drawing while I waited for her. Once I got older my father taught me how to draw, using shapes as a guide. He’d often critique my childish attempts at realism, but it gave me a rather solid foundation. Throughout my schooling I often found myself drawing; it was something I couldn’t live without. The kids at school knew me as the restaurant art kid with the really long last name.
In high school I continued to pursue art. I took every art class I could, often staying an hour after class for extra work time and critiques. As much as I enjoyed my time in the studio, I went through a phase of burn out in senior year, especially with the pressures of college exams and applications. I questioned my ability as an artist and feared burn out, so I applied to culinary school. I was accepted into my first choice, The Culinary Institute of America – also known as the CIA.
The CIA established a solid foundation for my skills as a pastry chef. During my time there I was able to work with plenty of experienced chefs from all over the world. I was provided with a multitude of opportunities to help with pop-up restaurants, parties, and conferences. My mother’s connections also allowed me to do prep work for Thailand’s Master Chef. To complete my education, I was required to work an internship. I was lucky to have found a job at a French-Japanese restaurant in Omotesando, Tokyo, so I lived abroad in Japan for four months. I was definitely overworked and tired. This chapter in my life was so busy and strenuous that I didn’t have time to do any art.
My passion for art had plateaued until I graduated from culinary school. I then started working for my mother as a breakfast chef at her boutique inn. I finally had time after work to create and illustrate again. After a couple of months of drawing for myself, I started to take commissions and worked as a freelance illustrator and character designer. I worked freelance for a year and a half, before realizing art was a career I could truly commit to. That’s when I decided to go back to school as an art student. I applied to Capilano University’s IDEA program upon the recommendation from a friend and CapU alumni. Here I am waiting for the rest of my story to unfold as an artist.